Postoperative Rehabilitation of Anterior Glenohumeral Joint Instability Surgery: A Systematic Review

Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2021 Jun 1;29(2):54-62. doi: 10.1097/JSA.0000000000000305.

Abstract

Anterior glenohumeral instability is the most common form of shoulder instability. The systematic review summarizes the latest research on rehabilitation after Bankart repair. Inclusion criteria included postoperative rehabilitation and published in English between 2000 and 2019. Studies were excluded if they were addresses, comments, or editorials, or included other shoulder injuries or cadaver models. Two rounds of review using Rayyan QCRI software were performed for screening and full text search, and the articles were graded for levels of evidence. Of the 1982 articles, 14 articles were included with levels of evidence 1 through 4. Both arthroscopic and open Bankart repair have demonstrated improving functional outcomes and reducing recurrence rates of anterior shoulder instability. Accelerated postoperative rehabilitation may be comparable to a conventional protocol for arthroscopic repair, and the subscapularis musculature involvement during open repair can impact the timeframe. Strong evidence supports 4 phases of rehabilitation and future clinical trials are needed to compare different programs.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Athletic Injuries / surgery
  • Bankart Lesions / rehabilitation
  • Bankart Lesions / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / rehabilitation*
  • Joint Instability / surgery
  • Postoperative Care
  • Return to Sport
  • Shoulder Dislocation / rehabilitation*
  • Shoulder Dislocation / surgery
  • Shoulder Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Shoulder Injuries / surgery